Menu

From the chair

Dear Fellow OGS Members,

Thank you to those who participated in our OGS Survey this past September. Your responses were honest, insightful and a great help to us in planning our 2013 Minerfest.

To share a few highlights from the survey, it probably comes as no surprise that OGS members are divided as to where and when OGS Weekends should be held. Nearly 50 percent of you prefer to gather in conjunction with other university events (Academy meetings and alumni association board meetings, in particular), and 63 percent indicate a preference for Rolla as the location.

In terms of frequency, 55 percent of you prefer annual OGS Weekends while 45 percent indicate a preference for gathering every other year. Although a strong majority of respondents confirmed that they value connecting with fellow OGS members, a number indicated a preference for directing the money spent on OGS Weekend to support students or departmental needs. Above all, many OGS members expressed the desire to learn more about the impact of their gifts.

I am pleased to report that we’ve taken your feedback to heart, and our 2013 Minerfest included a Battle of the Brains, a night of food, fun and trivia bringing OGS members together with our student scholars. We also produced a video that highlights how OGS members are making a difference. We’ve talked with students, crisscrossed campus with our cameras, and found some fantastic success stories made possible by your generosity. We unveiled this inspiring video at our OGS Dinner and Induction Ceremony on April 20 and it is now available to view online. I cannot tell you how excited I am to offer this dynamic testament to the power of your giving.

The Order of the Golden Shillelagh has always been a donor-led giving circle. I am proud of the hard work and commitment that brings us to our 36th year, and I look forward to what the future holds.